Our Johannesburg Practices

Linda van der Merwe & Associates Physiotherapy has three practices in Johannesburg. Our practice at 149 Oak Avenue in Ferndale, Randburg, is in a very relaxed environment. Our second practice is at The Waverley Health & Wellness Centre in Savoy Estate, the entrance is opposite Louis Botha Park (previously known as Weinberg Park). Our third practice is at the Crossfit Gym at Randburg High School. The entrance of the gym is not at the main gate of the school, but at the gate at the top of Rabie street where it meets Malibongwe road. The address is 183 Malibongwe road, Fontainebleau, Randburg. This practice is known as Rand Sport & Development and is open to the general public.

The reason these practices are situated where they are, is mostly because the owner feels that physiotherapy should be accessible to everyone that really needs it. There is no need to travel for hours to go to a physiotherapist in Gauteng. There should be a well trained, probably excellent physio in your direct vicinity. If that person is unable to deal with your specific problem, there are many physios that they could refer you to. Your community needs you and this is a good reason to support a professional that is close to you!

The above practices are both broad spectrum physio practices and specialized in many ways. Sport physiotherapy services are available at both, although Rand Sport & Development has more space and access to gym equipment too.

Doctor's referrals are needed, especially with children in need of neurodevelopmental physiotherapy. Physiotherapists are first consultants in South Africa, meaning that even though your medical aid may want a GP's referral to cover physiotherapy, legally we are allowed to see you without one, with your consent. Physios can diagnose and treat musculoskeletal and respiratory problems in our country. However, I prefer all new patients to have a referral letter, as there are always differential diagnoses and results are often better with a team approach. Referrals can be from a medical doctor, specialist or another registered allied health care professional. Minors need consent from a parent or legal guardian to be treated.

Please note that Linda van der Merwe Physiotherapy Practices are prepared to work with your medical aid if they cover your physiotherapy. That is, medical aid rates can be charged and claims submitted electronically to your medical aid. However, it is a private practice and I reserve the right to charge private rates as recommended by the South African Society of Physiotherapists (SASP). The patient will remain liable for payment should your physio not be covered by medical aid.

Craniosacral therapy – which can be most beneficial in trauma cases – is generally not covered by medical aids. This practice would like to support the local community and those who suffered trauma and therefore offers a twenty percent discount to patients who have recently (last three months) been adversely affected by trauma (for craniosacral therapy or other physio services). Also, five percent of all payments made to Rand Sport & Development will be put in a savings account managed by the practice in order to pay for maintenance needed at the RS&D premises that would eventually benefit the school.

Linda van der Merwe is a member of the South African Society of Physiotherapy. The practice endeavours to stay up to date with continuous professional education and current professional physiotherapy practice.